A school has come under fire after placing 22 pupils in isolation for not adhering to its new smarter dress code.

It comes just a day after the same school hit the headlines for ordering sixth-formers to wear suits under its new, much stricter regime.

Staff at Felixstowe Academy in Suffolk cracked down on years seven to 11, with children singled out for wearing unacceptable clothes or shoes.

The pupils were placed in supervised isolation following a dress code inspection.

However, the action has left parents and students angry just a day after the school hit the headlines for insisting that its 200 sixth-formers turn up 'suited and booted'.

Touch action: Several children have been placed in supervised isolation (Image: PA)

Mum Angie Hawker said her daughter Abigail, 15, a year 11 student, had been told that her trousers were "too tight" and her black leather lace-up shoes unacceptable.

Mrs Hawker, of Felixstowe, said: "What makes me angry is that these clothes and shoes were acceptable last term, but they are not acceptable this term.

"Abigail was kept in isolation, missing lessons, when she should have been studying.

"There needs to be more emphasis on teaching rather than uniform."

Lisa Hayes, 42, whose daughter is in year 10 and was held in isolation, said: "I am absolutely fuming.

"My daughter is a student who wants to learn and she is being kept in the dining hall with nothing to do.

"She's wearing the same shoes as last year and they were fine then.

"They are threatening to send her home from school to change them, but the only other shoes she has are pink trainers."

Controversial: Felixstowe Academy in Suffolk has a new smarter dress code

The four-year-old £18 million academy put a letter on its website concerning uniform changes along with photos of appropriate footwear in June.

Academy principal Anthony Williams said: "I have experienced, first hand, the significant impact that a smart dress code can have on the overall culture and ethos of a school.

"Needless to say, this has contributed to those schools becoming 'outstanding'."

Mr Williams said they were actively working with parents and carers to ensure each student is given the opportunity and time to replace items to fit uniform guidelines.

This support had included providing financial assistance to needy families and extending the deadline as part of conversations with families - and many had sent supportive messages concerning the academy's position.

The academy said 22 students - 1.6% - had failed to comply with uniform guidelines and had to work in supervised isolation while 98.4% of students and families backed the drive to boost standards.